There were many people watching the heat standing on both sides of the streets in Xinpingbao, and the doorways and walls of shops were also crowded with people.
Especially the shopkeepers in the shops, their eyes were fixed on the four-wheeled carts passing by on the street, and they were almost unable to pull them out.
Four-wheeled carts are nothing new in Lingqiu, but in Xinpingbao, many people saw this kind of four-wheeled carts for the first time.
If it weren't for the fact that the convoy was surrounded by more than a hundred convoy guards armed with firecrackers, who looked troublesome at first glance, I'm afraid someone would have stopped the convoy to ask about the four-wheeled cart.
This kind of four-wheeled cart is an excellent means of transportation for some shopkeepers who do a lot of business.
Team Chen walked out of the city gate of Xinping Fort and joined the four-wheeled cart that remained outside the fort.
The personal soldiers sent by Li Huaixin escorted the Tiger Flag convoy into the grassland before riding back alone.
When they came to the grassland, looking at the hills and large grasslands, Zhao Yutu and the others in the Tiger Flag had no idea which direction to go.
"Brother Chen, we will all depend on you for the rest of the journey." Zhao Yutu said to Chen Wen beside him with a smile.
Chen Wen said respectfully: "Mr. Zhao, don't worry, if you send us here, we must be a good guide."
Chen Wu on the side also said: "No matter where Mr. Zhao goes, our brothers can lead the way, but for the safety of the convoy, it is best not to go to Qingcheng and Banshengdi. That is Tumut's territory. Our team Once the team gets there, it’s difficult to come back.”
Zhao Yutu smiled and said: "Brother Chen, don't worry, we won't go to Tumote's ranch. The convoy will go to Zhangjiakou this time."
Chen Wen and Chen Wu breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that they were not going to the Tumut base camp.
With their small manpower, if they really want to go to Qingcheng or Banshengdi, I'm afraid there won't even be any scum left in the end.
Chen Wu said in confusion: "Mr. Zhao, since we are going to Zhangjiakou, it is safer to go through the Ming Dynasty than to go through the grassland. Why should we take the risk and go through the grassland? There are many horse bandits and small tribes of Beibei on the grassland, which is dangerous for the convoy." Not small."
Not only was he confused, but Chen Wen on the side also didn't understand and looked at Zhao Yutu with the same confusion.
Zhao Yutu smiled and said: "Our mule and horse shop also wants to do business with Beilu. This time we came to the grassland, mainly to familiarize ourselves with the terrain and prepare for future business."
It is almost an open secret that caravans from border towns smuggle northern prisoners.
Chen Wen and Chen Wu didn't believe Zhao Yutu's explanation. If they really wanted to do business with Beilu, there was no need to run from Xinpingbao to Zhangjiakou. However, the two of them were wise and did not continue to ask.
They just stayed away for two nights. There was no need to offend a big shot who was invited to the mansion for tea by the general because of their curiosity.
Zhao Yutu added: "I'm afraid I'll have to stay on the grassland for a while on this trip. Of course, I won't let you two work in vain. As long as you don't return to Xinping Fort for one day, I, Tiger Flag, will pay each of you one tael of silver every day." .”
"One tael!" Chen Wen and Chen Wu were both stunned.
They work late at night in Xinpingbao. Although they are paid one, two and a half cents of silver every month, they don't even get eight cents of silver. That's all, they are often in debt. Even if they are given money, it is never enough. .
Chen Wu hesitated and said: "Really give each of us one tael of silver every day?"
Zhao Yutu nodded with a smile and said, "You two should have heard of my Tiger-Character Flag. Do you think my Tiger-Character Flag will save your little money?"
"Of course not." Chen Wen said, "The name of the Tiger Character Flag is resounding throughout Datong Mansion, so naturally we two brothers will look down on the hard money we have earned."
"What are you two worried about?" Zhao Yutu looked at the two people in front of him with a smile.
Chen Wen replied: "Don't worry, of course, we brothers can trust the Tiger Flag."
"Where is Brother Chen Wu?" Zhao Yutu looked at Chen Wu again.
"Like my elder brother, I can trust Mr. Zhao, but..." Chen Wu said again: "Can I give up my share of money and exchange it for the armor worn by those people?"
He pointed to the cuirass of one of the cavalrymen.
Zhao Yutu looked in the direction of his finger and said, "Of course it's no problem."
"That's great." Chen Wu cheered and said immediately, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao."
"You're welcome, you originally bought this with your own money." Zhao Yutu added, "But I can't give it to you now, I have to wait."
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm not in a hurry." After saying that, Chen Wu whispered to himself, "It turns out that this kind of iron armor is called a breastplate."
Chen Wen next to him said, "Mr. Zhao, can I also exchange the silver for the breastplate?"
For them, life-saving things are more important than money.
Even though they were wearing cotton armor, the cotton armor they wore had been passed down for several generations. Not to mention the iron buckles and iron pieces, there was nothing left inside, even the cotton wadding.
The money you earn as a guide is equivalent to getting a breastplate for nothing. If you can exchange it for a breastplate that protects the vital points of your upper body, it is equivalent to getting a breastplate for free.
A breastplate that protects the front and back of the chest, and an iron helmet. It is difficult for Beilu's soft bow to shoot through. Unless he is unlucky enough to be shot in the face and eye sockets, even if he is shot, he will only be injured at most. The limbs are considered critical parts.
Zhao Yutu nodded and said: "Brother Chen wants to exchange the silver for breastplates, so of course there is no problem."
The output of breastplates was not high for the previous Tiger Flag, but since the advent of hydraulic hammers, the time for manufacturing breastplates has been greatly saved. Otherwise, all the cavalry teams would not be equipped with breastplates within a few months.
"Our brothers are here to thank Mr. Zhao." Chen Wen cupped his fists.
Chen Wu on the side also hurriedly clasped his fists to thank him.
Zhao Yutu said with a smile: "If you really want to thank me, why not take the convoy to Zhangjiakou earlier."
"This is easy. Although our brothers worked all night in Xinpingbao, we had also stayed in Xuanfu before. Later, we followed a guerrilla leader to Xinpingbao. We are also very familiar with Zhangjiakou." Chen Wen patted himself. Breasts guaranteed.
Zhao Yutu looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late. Why don't you two find the water source first so that the convoy can camp."
"There is a river five miles away that can be used for camping. I will take Mr. Zhao and the convoy there now." Chen Wen said.
As guides, the two brothers Chen Wen and Chen Wu led the convoy all the way east.
The convoy traveled more than three miles, and the sentries sent to explore the road came back to report that they found a river one mile ahead.
When the convoy arrived at the river bank, the sun had not yet set, but Zhao Yutu still arranged for the convoy to set up camp on the spot and prepare to camp.
When he came to the grassland for the first time, he had always heard that the Beibei was ferocious, so he had to be careful. He would rather camp earlier than take the risk of advancing.
Near the river bank, the driver skillfully formed a circle around the cart, leaving only a gap for people to enter and exit.
The people in the cavalry team took their horses to the lower reaches of the river and fetched water from the upper reaches for cooking.
Zhao Yutu called Chen Wen and Chen Wu to a four-wheeled cart.
He took out two breastplates from the car and handed them to brothers Chen Wen and Chen Wu.
The two people who received the breastplates showed excitement on their faces.
Although they thought that Mr. Zhao would not lie to them, they did not expect to get their breastplate so quickly.
They only worked as guides for half a day. Even if it was calculated as a full day, they only earned one tael, which could not be exchanged for a breastplate.
